Canadian Work Culture
The Canadian workforce has been deduced to have a strong pace of growth, corporate effectiveness, and excellent structure. As a result, it is the most competitive workforce in North America. Canada is also home to one of the world’s biggest tech hubs. And the country attracts some of the best IT professionals from around the world. This industry keeps expanding and recruiting, and Canada boasts a robust homegrown technology sector with over 43,200 companies making up its tech industry. Like every other country, Canada’s workforce has a set of attitudes, ideas, and behaviors that make up its standard working atmosphere — the work place culture. It is pertinent to understand what influences your fitting into organizations in Canada and dictates your capacity to form professional relationships with your colleagues within the tech industry. This article will enlighten you about the working way of life in Canada.
Work Place Culture — Standards in the workplace
In Canada, foreign workers or immigrants are required to adhere to specific working standards to better integrate into their new environment. Companies throughout Canada are working to educate one another regarding various parts of international diversities to accept a variety of people into their workforce (to better suit you and other immigrants). By learning to comprehend the specific conditions, newcomers can prevent ambiguities and set themselves on the journey to prosperity. Here are some workplace standards:
Punctuality
Punctuality is the soul of business. This work place culture is one of the best ways to thrive anywhere. Canadian employers value punctuality, and indeed, the tech industry is no exception.
Courtesy
Canadian organizations are often laid-back. People usually address each other by their first names. Exceptions exist, though, for high-ranking officials. Also, you should know too that some individuals would rather not make any physical contact (respect personal space), and others may greet with a firm handshake. Also, eye contact is another essential aspect of interaction in Canada too.
Respect
Every worker treats each other with dignity. Employers must respect their employees’ dignity, and employees must reciprocate.
Teamwork
Your tech journey may require working in a team. So, be ready to offer assistance when you notice a coworker is stressed or slipping behind. In addition, you must also try to prioritize the team’s requirements over your own.
Use of perfumes and colognes
It is significant to note that due to allergies and sensitivities, most workplaces advise using cologne, perfume, and other scented goods in moderation or not at all.
Dress code
The dress code may differ depending on the type of profession and employer. For the tech industry, dressing smart casual is just perfect. You should remember to ‘Keep It Clean.’
Standard operating procedures
It is essential you strive to read and understand the standard operating procedures of any tech industry you find yourself in. This is the standard of standards.
Four unique elements of the work place culture in Canada
- The workplace culture in Canada is significantly more egalitarian than that of many nations, which are far more hierarchical.
- Although the Canadian communication style is generally seen as forthright, feedback is not. When Canadians provide unfavorable feedback, they do so positively.
- Interpersonal skills, commonly known as “soft skills,” are prioritized over “hard skills.”
- As suggested in the first point, the Canadian working culture is different from many other countries. Be aware of cultural diversities.
Strategies for adjusting to the Canadian work place culture
Firstly, setting goals is pertinent for career progress. Goals assist you in concentrating your efforts. When you’re having difficulties, they keep you motivated. Setting career objectives entails deciding what you want to accomplish in your current position. A fair objective could be to work as a data scientist within one year. For instance, you would have to figure out what talents are needed or what qualifications are needed, like Power Bi certification.
Adaptation is crucial. Because Canada is such a diverse country, identifying Canadian workplace “norms” is often challenging; they will vary depending on who controls the company and the workers employed. Have an understanding of where you wish to work and how the daily operations are carried out there.
Also, you need to be proficient in English and/or French. This would require a lot of practice if you are new to the language(s). Honing the ability to communicate in English, especially at work, is necessary. This assists in blending with the rest of your coworkers. Improvement in communication skills is vital.
Some interpersonal skills would need development (a continuous process). These skills include the potential to function as part of a team, flexibility and openness to new ideas, effective management of time, initiating conversations, and asking questions.
Always be punctual. Regarding timeliness, organizations in Canada have regulations that define whatever is and is not acceptable. Know this, and you will find tranquility at work. At work, Canadians have a way of saying and doing things. Sometimes, there is the familiar Canadian joke. You would definitely get a lot of ‘ehs’. Also, Canadians joke about citizens’ good manners and kind ways.
In the Canadian work place culture, you must communicate effectively, listen, and associate with others; comprehend operating customs satisfactorily, and understand the wide range of cross variations in the workplace culture.
Adjusting to the Canadian work setting is often challenging for immigrants. Got questions or comments? Contact us at Elite careers. We want to hear from you.
